In the early centuries of Christianity, there is only limited evidence for the pattern of early Christian fellowship and a pattern of meeting together. Apart from the major centres, the numbers of Christians in any one place would not be large. The limited evidence we do have suggests a continued emphasis on personal relationship and community. The theological focus of the life of the church rests in grappling with the larger issues.

The pattern of more extended meeting together with discussion, teaching and an emphasis upon community life was certainly preserved in the catechumenate. This was the very thorough process developed from the end of the New Testament period onwards for initiating new converts into the life of faith, and the Christian community and preparing them baptism. Different models of the catechumenate began to develop in different geographical centres from an early period of initiation; of instruction separate from the main Christian community; of formation in community for at least part of the time. The early Church was preparing its members for a lifetime of costly Christian discipleship in a society in which there was almost always some degree of persecution and occasionally martyrdom to be faced. 

Taken from Transforming Communities, Re-imagining the Church for the 21st Community, by Steven Croft, pp.94-95